At length, my confidence in
her was rewarded. Coming out into the hall, she hurried past my door,
her finger on her lip. I immediately rose and stood on the threshold
with another paper in my hand, which I had prepared against this
opportunity. As she glided back, I put it in her hand, and warning
her with a look not to speak, resumed my usual occupation. The words
I had written were as follows:
At or as near the time as possible of your brother's going out,
you are to come to this room wrapped in an extra skirt and with
your shawl over your head. Leave the skirt and shawl behind you,
and withdraw at once to the room at the head of the stairs. You
are not to speak, and you are not to vary from the plan thus laid
down. Your brother and father are to be arrested, whether or no;
but if you will do as this commands, they will be arrested without
bloodshed and without shame to one you know.
Her face while she read these lines, was a study, but I dared not
soften toward it. Dropping the paper from her hand, she gave me one
inquiring look. But I pointed determinedly to the words lying upward
on the floor, and would listen to no appeal. My resolve had its
effect. Bowing her head with a sorrowful gesture, she laid her hand
on her heart, looked up and glided from the room.
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